Flush toilet

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a flush toilet ( 1 ) including: a bowl portion ( 8 ) having a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface ( 16 ), a rim portion ( 18 ), and a well portion ( 20 ) formed at the bottom of the waste receiving surface; a discharge trap pipe ( 12 ) connected to the bottom portion of the well portion; a flush water guide portion ( 40   b ) disposed on the waste receiving surface at the rear of the well portion so that flush water is directed toward the side wall surface inside the well portion; and a liquid membrane spouting portion ( 24 ) disposed on the rim portion, wherein this liquid membrane spouting portion induces a vertical circulating flow in the well portion, produced when discharged flush water assumes a liquid membrane form and collides with a flush water guide portion, and the colliding flush water drops along the side wall surface of the well portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to a flush toilet, and more particularlyto a flush toilet in which flush water flushes the toilet and dischargeswaste.

BACKGROUND ART

A flush toilet is described in Japanese Patent 3817734 (Patent Document1). In the flush toilet set forth in Patent Document 1, a horizontalcirculating flow is induced by the discharge of flush water in thehorizontal direction from a rim spout port disposed on the top edge ofthe bowl portion which receives waste, and the entire bowl surface isflushed by this circulating flow.

There is also a flush toilet set forth in Japanese Published UnexaminedPatent Application 2015-196960 (Patent Document 2). In the flush toiletset forth in Patent Document 1, a horizontal circulating flow is inducedby the discharge of flush water in the horizontal direction from a rimspout port disposed on the top edge of the bowl portion which receiveswaste, and the entire bowl surface is flushed by this circulating flow.In addition, in this flush toilet a guiding portion for directing theflow of flush water circulating in the bowl portion to flow toward thebottom surface of the bowl portion is disposed in the rear region of thebowl portion, and this guiding portion forms a flow for stirringaccumulated water inside the bowl portion in the up-down direction.

PRIOR ART REFERENCES Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3817734

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2015-196960

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems the Invention Seeks to Resolve

In the flush toilet set forth in Patent Document 1, the horizontalcirculating flow produced by flush water discharged from the rim spoutport into the bowl portion results in a strong capability to flush thesurface of the bowl. However this flush toilet has the problem that itsability to submerge waste floating on the accumulated water anddischarge waste to the discharge trap connected to the bottom portion ofthe bowl portion is low. This type of problem is particularly prominentin flush toilets without a jet spout port for producing a flow to pushaccumulated water in the bowl portion into the discharge trap pipe.

In the flush toilet of Patent Document 2, on the other hand, a guideportion is provided to produce a flow for stirring accumulated water inthe up-down direction, enabling a submerging effect on waste floating inthe accumulated water. However in the flush toilet of Patent Document 2,as well, flush water which has circulated over the bowl surface as alinear flow from a rim spout port is caused by the guide portion to flowinto the accumulated water, therefore a horizontal circulating componentremains as before in the flush water, and the ability to stiraccumulated water in the up-down direction is poor. In addition, thewater force of flush water which has circulated over the bowl surface isweak even if made to flow into the accumulated water by the guideportion, and its ability to stir accumulated water is insufficient.Therefore in the flush toilet of Patent Document 2, while it is truethat the effect of submerging waste floating in accumulated water isobserved, that effect is insufficient, and there is a risk thatsufficient discharge capability will not be achieved, particularly whenwater conservation efforts advance and the total volume of flush waterdiminishes.

The present invention was undertaken to resolve the above problems, andhas the object of providing a flush toilet capable of effectivelydischarging waste floating in accumulated water.

Means for Resolving Problems

In order to resolve the above-described problems, the present inventionis a flush toilet flushed by flush water and discharging waste,comprising: a bowl portion including a bowl-shaped waste receivingsurface, a rim portion formed on an upper portion of the waste receivingsurface, and a well portion formed below the waste receiving surface forstoring an accumulated water; a discharge trap pipe connected so as tocommunicate with a bottom portion of the well portion, therebydischarging the flush water and the waste; a flush water guide portionformed on the waste receiving surface at a rear of the well portion sothat the flush water supplied to the bowl portion is guided toward aside wall surface on an inside of the well portion; and a liquidmembrane spouting portion formed on the rim portion; wherein the liquidmembrane spouting portion discharges the flush water in a liquidmembrane form so that the discharged flush water collides with the flushwater guide portion to induce a vertical circulating flow in theaccumulated water of the well portion, by dropping the flush water alongthe side wall surface of the well portion.

In the invention thus constituted, flush water is discharged from theliquid membrane spouting portion disposed on the rim portion formed onthe top portion of the waste receiving surface; the discharged flushwater assumes a liquid membrane form and collides with the flush waterguide portion, and the colliding flush water drops along the side wallsurface of the well portion. The dropping of flush water along the sidewall portion of the well portion induces a vertical circulating flow inthe accumulated water in the well portion; waste floating in theaccumulated water is submerged into the accumulated water in the wellportion and discharged together with flush water from the trap conduitconnected to the bottom portion of the well portion.

In the invention thus constituted, flush water discharged from theliquid membrane spouting portion a liquid membrane form collides withthe flush water guide portion and drops into the well portion, inducinga vertical circulating flow in the accumulated water, therefore wastefloating in the accumulated water can be efficiently submerged in theaccumulated water, and floating waste can be effectively discharged fromthe bowl portion.

In the present invention, preferably, the flush water guide portion is astepped portion formed on the waste receiving surface so as to besmoothly continuous with a ridge line of the well portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the flush water guide portion isconstituted by a stepped portion smoothly connected to the well portionridge line, therefore flush water colliding with the flush water guideportion can be efficiently made to flow into the well portion, and astrong vertical circulating flow can be induced in the well portionwithout significant loss of force in the flush water discharged from theliquid membrane spouting portion. Waste floating in the accumulatedwater can thus be efficiently submerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, the flush water guide portion isconfigured such that a slope of the stepped portion in a circumferentialdirection of the waste receiving surface is most gradual in an outermostcircumference of the waste receiving surface, and becomes steep as itapproaches the well portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the slope of the stepped portionforming the flush water guide portion is most gradual at the outermostcircumference of the water reservoir and becomes steeper approaching thewell portion, therefore the flush water in a liquid membrane statecolliding with the flush water guide portion can be made to retain thatshape as it flows into the well portion, and a stronger verticalcirculating flow can be induced in the accumulated water within the wellportion.

In the present invention, preferably, the flush water guide portion isconfigured such that a step difference of the stepped portion issmallest at the outermost circumference of the waste receiving surface,and is largest approaching the well portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the step difference of the steppedportion forming the flush water guide portion is smallest at theoutermost circumference of the waste receiving surface and is made toincrease toward the well portion, so the majority of flush watercolliding with the flush water guide portion can be directed to the wellportion, and a strong vertical circulating flow can be induced in theaccumulated water in the well portion.

In the present invention, preferably, the waste receiving surface has aconcave portion which is formed in a rear portion of the waste receivingsurface and is connected to the well portion, and one of end portions ofthe concave portion functions as the flush water guide portion on whichthe flush water collides.

In the invention thus constituted, a concave portion connecting with thewell portion is formed at the rear portion of the waste receivingsurface, and one of the edge portions on this concave portion functionsas a flush water guide portion, so that flush water colliding with theflush water guide portion immediately drops into the concave portion andflows into the well portion connected to the concave portion. Thereforethe majority of flush water discharged as a liquid membrane from theliquid membrane spouting portion can be made to flow into the wellportion over a relatively short path, and a strong vertical circulatingflow can be induced in the well portion. Waste floating in theaccumulated water can thus be efficiently submerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, the concave portion formed in thewaste receiving surface lies from the well portion of the bowl portionto a rear end of the bowl portion.

In the invention thus constituted, a concave portion is formed from thewell portion to the rear edge of the bowl portion, therefore flush waterflowing along the rear edge of the bowl portion collides with one edgeportion of the concave portion (the flush water guide portion) and dropsinto the concave portion. As a result, the majority of flush waterdischarged as a liquid membrane from the liquid membrane spoutingportion can be made to flow into the well portion by the flush waterguide portion, and a strong vertical circulating flow can be induced inthe well portion. Waste floating in the accumulated water can thus beefficiently submerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, the concave portion formed in thewaste receiving surface has approximately a fan shape, broadening towardthe rear of the bowl portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the indentation is formed inessentially a fan shape widening toward the rear of the bowl portion,therefore the majority of flush water discharged in a liquid membranestate from the liquid membrane spouting portion and flowing to the rearportion of the bowl portion can be collected at the center of theindented portion, and the collected flush water can be made to flow in aconcentrated manner into the well portion. As a result, a verticalcirculating flow can be induced in the well portion, and waste floatingin the accumulated water can be submerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, the liquid membrane spoutingportion forms the flush water into the liquid membrane form bydischarging the supplied flush water to follow a downward sloped surfacedescending downward in the direction of the flush water discharged fromthe liquid membrane spouting portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the liquid membrane spouting portionforms flush water into a liquid membrane shape by discharging it along adownward sloped surface descending in the direction of flush waterdischarge, therefore discharged flush water can be efficiently placedinto a liquid membrane form. Liquid membrane-shaped flush water iscapable of inducing a strong vertical circulating flow upon flowing intothe well portion, so that waste floating in the accumulated water can besubmerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, the liquid membrane spoutingportion is disposed at the rear of the bowl portion so as to oppose theflush water guide portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the liquid membrane spouting portionis disposed at the rear of the bowl portion so as to oppose the flushwater guide portion, therefore flush water discharged from the liquidmembrane spouting portion collides with the flush water guide portion atclose range. Flush water discharged from the liquid membrane spoutingportion therefore flows into the well portion with the strong dischargeforce essentially maintained. As a result, a vertical circulating flowcan be induced in the well portion, and waste floating in theaccumulated water can be submerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, the liquid membrane spoutingportion is disposed on the inside of a region in which the concaveportion of the waste receiving surface is formed.

In the invention thus constituted, the liquid membrane spouting portionis disposed on the inside of the region in which the concave portion ofthe waste receiving surface is formed, therefore the majority of flushwater discharged from the liquid membrane spouting portion can bedropped into the concave portion, and flush water which has fallen intothe concave portion can be made to flow into the well portion by theguide portion. A large volume of flush water can thus be made to flowinto the well portion at once, so that a strong vertical circulatingflow is induced in the well portion, and waste floating in theaccumulated water can be efficiently submerged and discharged.

In the present invention, preferably, there is furthermore a rim spoutportion disposed on the rim portion, wherein the rim spout portiondischarges the flush water to form a horizontal circulating flow on thewaste receiving surface.

In the invention thus constituted, a rim spout portion forming acirculating flow in the horizontal direction on the waste receivingsurface using discharged flush water is provided separately from theliquid membrane spouting portion, therefore waste adhering to the wastereceiving surface can be effectively washed off, and the entire bowlportion can be effectively flushed.

Effect of the Invention

Using the flush toilet of the present invention, waste floating inaccumulated water can be effectively discharged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1

A plan view cross section showing a flush toilet according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2

A cross section seen along line II-II in FIG. 1 of a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3

A perspective view showing the state whereby a flush toilet according toan embodiment of the invention is cut along a vertical plane extendingin the left-right direction.

FIG. 4

A cross section cut along line IV-IV in FIG. 1 of a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5

A cross section cut along line V-V in FIG. 1 of a flush toilet accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6

A cross section cut along line VI-VI in FIG. 1 of a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7

A cross section cut along line VII-VII in FIG. 1 of a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8

A cross section cut along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 1 of a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9

A cross section cut along line IX-IX in FIG. 1 of a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10

A simplified plan view showing the appearance of flush water flow in atoilet according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11

A simplified cross section showing the appearance of flush water flow ina toilet according to an embodiment of the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 through 11, we explain a flush toiletaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, we explain a flush toilet accordingto an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view cross sectionshowing a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 2 is a cross section seen along line II-II in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flush toilet 1 of the present embodimentis a wash-down type of toilet in which waste is pushed out by the flowaction resulting from the water drop within the bowl portion, andcomprises a toilet main body 2; flush water is introduced into thistoilet main body 2 via a reservoir tank (not shown) serving as the flushwater source. The toilet main body 2 is made of glazed ceramic; a skirtportion 6 is formed on the bottom portion thereof, and a bowl portion 8is formed at the front on the upper half thereof. A shared waterpassageway 10 connected to a discharge port on the reservoir tank (notshown) is formed at the rear upper portion of the bowl portion 8; inaddition, a discharge trap pipe 12 for discharging waste is formed atthe rear lower portion of the bowl portion 8.

The present invention, without limitation to flush toilets comprisingreservoir tanks, can also be applied to flush toilet in which flushwater is supplied using a jet pump mechanism, or direct pressure-typeflush toilets in which flush water is directly supplied.

The bowl portion 8 comprises a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface 16, arim portion 18 positioned on the top edge thereof, and a well portion20, formed below the waste receiving surface 16. Here, as shown in FIG.2, the rim portion 18 inside circumferential surface 18 a has anoverhanging shape toward the inside, so that flush water circulating inthe horizontal direction, described below, does not splash to theoutside.

A first rim spout port 22 is formed at the center portion on the leftside as seen from the front of the inside circumferential surface of thebowl portion 8 rim portion 18, and a second rim spout port 24, being aliquid membrane spouting portion, is formed on the right rear side(downstream side) as seen from the front thereof. This first rim spoutport 22 and second rim spout port 24 are oriented so as to dischargeflush water in the same direction on a horizontal plane (thecounterclockwise direction in FIG. 1), and flush water discharged fromthe first rim spout port 22 forms a circulating flow circulating in thehorizontal direction on the waste receiving surface 16.

The shared water passageway 10 formed on the rear upper portion of theflush toilet 1 described above branches into a second water passageway28 for supplying flush water to the first rim spout port 22 and a secondwater passageway 28 for supplying flush water to the second rim spoutport 24.

Note that in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the firstwater passageway 26 including the first rim spout port 22, and thesecond water passageway 28 including the second rim spout port 24 areformed integrally with the ceramic toilet main body 2, but the presentinvention is not limited to such forms, and the present invention mayalso be formed by a distributor or the like separate from a first waterpassageway including the first rim spout port and a second waterpassageway including the second rim spout port.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a shelf-shaped water conduit 30 forguiding flush water is formed in the bottom region of the insidecircumferential surface 18 a of the bowl portion 8 rim portion 18. Notethat this water conduit 30 is also the external circumferential edgeregion of the waste receiving surface 16. The water conduit 30 causesflush water spouted from the first rim spout port 22 to circulate alongthe rim portion 18 inside circumferential surface 18 a to the rear endportion of the waste receiving surface 16.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a discharge trap pipe 12 is formed by anintroducing pipe 32 connected to the well portion 20 bottom surface 36and extending rearward and downward, and by an ascending pipe path 34 aand a descending pipe path 34 b.

This introducing pipe 32 is connected as a smooth continuous curvedsurface to the bottom surface 36 of the well portion 20, and is arrangedso that flush water flowing into the introducing pipe 32 from the wellportion 20 flows smoothly inside the introducing pipe 32.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bowl portion 8 well portion 20, asdescribed above, comprises a bottom surface 36 positioned below theaccumulated water level W, and a side wall surface 38 for connectingthis bottom surface 36 with the bottom edge portion of the wastereceiving surface 16. This bottom surface 36 is formed in a region infront of the introducing pipe 32 inlet 32 a, and is formed to beapproximately horizontal. This bottom surface 36 may also be slopeddownward toward the rear. At the rear of the well portion 20, no bottomsurface 36 is formed, but a side wall surface 38 is formed; this sidewall surface 38 is formed continuously with the introducing pipe 32inlet 32 a.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, an approximately fan-shaped concaveportion 40, widening toward the rear of the bowl portion 8, is formed inthe region at the rear portion of the waste receiving surface 16 betweenthe 20 and the rear end portion of the bowl portion 8 (the rear edgeportion of the waste receiving surface 16), so as to connect with thewell portion 20. Thus by forming a concave portion 40 on the wastereceiving surface 16, stepped portions 40 a, 40 b are respectivelyformed at both ends of the concave portion 40, and these steppedportions 40 a, 40 b smoothly continue the ridge line of the well portion20. In the present embodiment the second rim spout port 24 is disposedon the rear right side of the bowl portion 8 as seen from the front ofthe flush toilet 1, and discharges flush water to the left, therefore ofthe concave portion 40 stepped portions 40 a, 40 b, the stepped portion40 b (in this embodiment, the left side stepped portion) is oriented soas to face the second rim spout port 24. Therefore in the presentembodiment the stepped portion 40 b, oriented so as to face the secondrim spout port 24, functions as a flush water guide portion so thatflush water discharged from the second rim spout port 24 collides withit, and colliding flush water is made to drop down along the side wallsurface 38 of the well portion 20. The stepped portion 40 b is formed sothat its angle increases toward the well portion and becomes deeper, sothat when guiding a flush, spout water can be directed in a liquidmembrane form toward the well portion. Thus flush water colliding withthe flush water guide portion (stepped portion 40 b) and dropping alongthe 20 side wall surface 38 induces a vertical circulating flow. Notethat in the present embodiment the minimum distance between the secondrim spout port 24 and the left side stepped portion 40 b isapproximately 160 mm, and preferably between approximately 130 mm andapproximately 200 mm.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 through 9, we explain the constitution of theflush water guide portion and the second rim spout port in furtherdetail.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state whereby the flush toilet1 is cut along a vertical plane extending in the left-right directionthereof. FIGS. 4 through 8 are cross sections in which the flush toilet1 is cut along lines IV-IV through lines VIII-VII in FIG. 1. Inaddition, FIG. 9 is a cross section cut through the flush toilet 1 alongline IX-IX in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stepped portions 40 a, 40 b on both sides,formed by disposing the concave portion 40 on the waste receivingsurface 16, are smoothly continuous with the side portion ridge lines 20a, 20 b (the lines in which the side wall surfaces 38 on both sideportions of the well portion 20 and the inside circumference of thewaste receiving surface 16 intersect). The well portion 20 rear side topedge and the concave portion 40 bottom surface 40 c also smoothlyintersect, forming a rear portion ridge line 20 c on the rear side ofthe well portion 20. The ridge in the left-right direction of theconcave portion 40 is narrowest on the rear portion ridge line 20 c ofthe well portion 20, widening toward the rear, and is widest at the rearend portion of the waste receiving surface 16. Stated differently, thegap in the left-right direction between the stepped portions 40 a and 40b is greatest at the rear end portion, and is smallest at the connectingportion between the side portion ridge lines 20 a, 20 b of the toiletmain body 2. The bottom surface 40 c of the concave portion 40 is slopedso as to drop from the waste receiving surface 16 rear end portiontoward the well portion 20, and the depth of the concave portion 40 isshallowest at the rear end portion of the waste receiving surface 16 anddeepest at the rear portion ridge line 20 c of the well portion 20.I.e., the stepped portions 40 a, 40 b have the smallest step difference(level difference) at the rear end portion of the waste receivingsurface 16 (the outermost circumference of the waste receiving surface16), and the step difference increases approaching the well portion 20.

Note that in the present embodiment the width at the front end portionof the 40 (the part connecting with the well portion 20) isapproximately 115 mm, and is formed to be approximately the same as themaximum width of the well portion 20. Also, the rear end portion of theconcave portion 40 (the part contacting the rim portion 18 insidecircumferential surface 18 a) is approximately 195 mm. Preferably, thewidth at the rear end portion of the concave portion is formed to beapproximately 100 mm to 240 mm, and the concave portion is formed with acenter angle relative to the center of the well portion of betweenapproximately 38° and approximately 110°. In addition, in the presentembodiment the depth of the concave portion 40 is formed to beapproximately 18 mm at the deepest portion, and preferably the depth atthe deepest portion is approximately 10 mm to 30 mm.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 through 8, the sloped surface angle inthe left-right direction of the sloped surface facing from the concaveportion 40 stepped portions 40 a, 40 b toward the bottom surface 40 c(the sloped surface angle in the circumferential direction of the wastereceiving surface 16) is most gradual in the rear end portion of thewaste receiving surface 16 (the outermost circumference of the wastereceiving surface 16), and the slope gradually steepens approaching thewell portion 20. I.e., the left-right direction slope of the slopedsurface connecting the waste receiving surface 16 and the concaveportion 40 bottom surface 40 c is most gradual in the rear end portionof the waste receiving surface 16 (FIG. 4), and the left-right directionslope thereof is steepest in the front end portion of the bottom surface40 c (FIG. 8). Note that in the present embodiment the slope angle ofthe slope in the left-right direction heading from the stepped portion40 b to the bottom surface 40 c is formed to be approximately 15° at itsmaximum, and the maximum slope angle is preferably approximately 5° toapproximately 20°.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 9, we explain the constitution of thefirst rim spout port 22, being a rim spout portion, and the second rimspout port 24, being a liquid membrane spouting portion.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the first rim spout port 22, being a rimspout portion, is disposed on the left side portion of the bowl portion8, and flush water discharged from the first rim spout port 22 isdirected by a water conduit 30 provided on the outside circumferentialportion of the waste receiving surface 16. I.e., the floor of the firstrim spout port 22 and the outer surface of the water conduit 30 aregenerally continuous, and flush water discharged from the first rimspout port 22 is placed on the approximately horizontally formed waterconduit 30 to be guided. Flush water guided along the water conduit 30flows down a little at a time over the waste receiving surface 16,forming a counterclockwise horizontal circulating flow on the wastereceiving surface 16, flowing into the well portion 20, thereby flushingthe waste receiving surface 16.

On the other hand the second rim spout port 24, being a liquid membranespouting portion, is formed on the inside of the region in which aconcave portion is disposed at the right rear end portion of the bowlportion 8, as shown in FIG. 3. The bottom surface of the second waterpassageway 28 is a downward slope from the vicinity of the second rimspout port 24 toward the discharge direction, and this sloped surface issmoothly continuous with the concave portion 40 bottom surface 40 c,forming a downward sloped surface 42 toward the well portion 20. I.e.,whereas flush water discharged from the first rim spout port 22 isguided by the approximately horizontal water conduit 30, which isessentially continuous with the floor of the first rim spout port 22, noapproximately horizontal guide path continuous with the floor isprovided on the second rim spout port 24, and flush water from thesecond rim spout port 24 is discharged along the downward sloped surface42, which is essentially continuous with the floor of the second rimspout port 24, and slopes downward toward the direction in which flushwater is discharged.

Thus when flush water is discharged along the downward sloped surface42, it flows diagonally downward while spreading in a liquid membraneform so as to adhere to the downward sloped surface 42 due to gravityand the Coander effect (FIG. 3, arrow F1), colliding with the left sidestepped portion 40 b (the flush water guide portion), disposed oppositethe second rim spout port 24. I.e., flush water discharged along theapproximately horizontal water conduit 30 from the first rim spout port22 flows as a liquid membrane on the water conduit 30, and rather thanflowing down a little at a time on the waste receiving surface 16, theflush water discharged from the second rim spout port 24 to the downwardsloped surface 42 assumes a liquid membrane form and flows diagonallydownward from the second rim spout port 24. In the present embodimentthe slope in the direction spouted from the second rim spout port 24(the circumferential direction of the waste receiving surface 16) formsthe discharged flush water into a liquid membrane form by discharging italong the downward sloped surface 42 at an approximately 13° slopeangle. Note that flush water can be formed into a liquid membrane bydischarging flush water along a downward sloped surface at a slope angleof 5° to 20°. Discharged flush water is also formed into a liquidmembrane form by use of a flat cross sectional shape for the rim spoutport.

Flush water flowing diagonally downward from the second rim spout port24 and colliding with the stepped portion 40 b serving as flush waterguide portion flows down along the stepped portion 40 b toward thecenter of the waste receiving surface 16. Here the stepped portion 40 band the well portion 20 side portion ridge line 20 b are formed to besmoothly continuous, and flush water flowing down along the steppedportion 40 b flows down into the well portion 20 along the side wallsurface 38 on the left side of the well portion 20 (arrow F2 in FIG. 3).Thus the majority of flush water discharged from the second rim spoutport 24 flows into the well portion 20 with strong force due to thedischarge force and to the gravity force acquired when flowing down(dropping) along the stepped portion 40 b. The large volume of flushwater flowing into the well portion 20 at high force induces a strongvertical circulating flow in the accumulated water inside the wellportion 20. Flush water spouted in a liquid membrane form from thesecond rim spout port 24 serving as liquid membrane spouting portion andguided into the well portion 20 by the flush water guide portion(stepped portion 40 b) can effectively cancel out the horizontalcirculating flow component more than the common linear type of flushwater spouted from the first rim spout port 22, forming a stronghorizontal circulating flow. Waste which had been floating in the wellportion 20 is thus strongly submerged and efficiently discharged throughthe discharge trap pipe 12.

Next, referring primarily to FIGS. 10 and 11, we explain the flushaction in a flush toilet 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is asimplified plan view showing the appearance of the flush water flow in aflush toilet according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is asimplified cross section showing the appearance of flush water flow in atoilet according to an embodiment of the invention.

First, when a user turns on an operating switch (not shown), thedischarge port (not shown) in the reservoir tank opens, flush waterflows into the shared water passageway 10 on the toilet main body 2, andpasses through the first water passageway 26 and second water passageway28 branching from this shared water passageway 10 to be spouted from thefirst rim spout port 22 and the second rim spout port 24, respectively.

Flush water spouted from the first rim spout port 22 flows first towardthe front along the water conduit 30 formed on the inside circumferenceof the bowl portion 8 rim portion 18, passing over the front end of thebowl portion 8, then forms a horizontal circulating flow which flowstoward the rear (FIG. 10, arrow F3). At this point, part of the flushwater drops toward the center of the bowl portion 8 as it circulates(FIG. 10, FIG. 11, arrow F4), flushing the waste receiving surface 16.Flush water is also spouted from the second rim spout port 24, and themajority of that collides with the stepped portion 40 b (flush waterguide portion) opposed to the second rim spout port 24 (FIG. 10, arrowF5). Flush water colliding with the stepped portion 40 b drops along theside wall surface 38 on the left side of the well portion 20 disposed tosmoothly continue from the sloped surface forming this stepped portion40 b, into the accumulated water in the well portion 20. Flush waterflowing into the well portion 20 induces a vertical circulating flow(FIG. 10, FIG. 11, arrow F6) in the accumulated water inside the wellportion 20, submerging waste that had been floating in the accumulatedwater; the submerged waste is then discharged from the discharge trappipe 12 through the introducing pipe 32 inlet 32 a.

In a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the invention, flushwater discharged as a liquid membrane from the second rim spout port 24serving as liquid membrane spouting portion collides with the steppedportion 40 b serving as flush water guide portion and drops into thewell portion 20 (FIG. 3), inducing a vertical circulating flow in theaccumulated water, therefore waste which had been floating in theaccumulated water can be efficiently submerged in the accumulated water,and the floating waste can be effectively discharged from the bowlportion.

Also, in a flush toilet according to the embodiment, the stepped portion40 b (flush water guide portion) is smoothly continuous with the wellportion 20 side portion ridge line 20 b (FIG. 3), therefore flush watercolliding with the stepped portion 40 b can be efficiently made to flowinto the well portion 20, and a strong vertical circulating flow can beinduced in the well portion 20 without major loss of the force of flushwater discharged from the second rim spout port 24 (the liquid membranespouting portion).

In addition, using the flush toilet of the present embodiment, a concaveportion 40 connected to the well portion 20 at the rear portion of thewaste receiving surface 16 is formed, and one end (the stepped portion40 b) of this concave portion 40 functions as a flush water guideportion, therefore flush water colliding with the stepped portion 40 bimmediately drops into the concave portion 40 and flows into the wellportion 20 connected to the concave portion 40. Therefore the majorityof flush water discharged as a liquid membrane from the second rim spoutport 24 can be made to flow into the well portion over a relativelyshort path, and a strong vertical circulating flow can be induced in thewell portion.

Also, using the flush toilet of the present embodiment the concaveportion 40 is formed from the well portion 20 to the rear end of thebowl portion 8, therefore flush water which has flowed along the rearend of the bowl portion 8 collides with one end portion of the concaveportion 40 (stepped portion 40 b) and drops into the concave portion 40.As a result, the majority of flush water discharged in a liquid membraneform from the second rim spout port 24 can be made to flow into the wellportion 20 by the stepped portion 40 b, and can induce a strong verticalcirculating flow within the well portion 20.

In addition, using the flush toilet of the present embodiment, anapproximately fan-shaped form is formed in which the width of theconcave portion 40 broadens toward the rear of the bowl portion 8,therefore much of the flush water discharged in a liquid membrane formfrom the second rim spout port 24 and flowing to the rear portion of thebowl portion 8 can be collected in the concave portion 40, and thecollected flush water can be made to flow in a concentrated manner intothe well portion 20. As a result, a vertical circulating flow can beinduced in the well portion 20, and waste floating in the accumulatedwater can be submerged and discharged.

Using the flush toilet of the present embodiment, the second rim spoutport 24 forms flush water into a liquid membrane shape by discharging italong a descending surface 42 descending in the direction of flush waterdischarge, therefore discharged flush water can be efficiently placed ina liquid membrane state. Liquid membrane-shaped flush water is capableof inducing a strong vertical circulating flow upon flowing into thewell portion 20, so that waste floating in the accumulated water can besubmerged and discharged.

In addition, using the flush toilet of the present embodiment, thesecond rim spout port 24 and the stepped portion 40 b are disposed inopposition on the left and right at the rear of the bowl portion 8,therefore flush water discharged from the second rim spout port 24collides at close range with the stepped portion 40 b (the flush waterguide portion). Flush water discharged from the second rim spout port 24therefore flows into the well portion 20 with the strong discharge forceessentially maintained. As a result, a vertical circulating flow can beinduced in the well portion 20, and waste floating in the accumulatedwater can be submerged and discharged.

Also, using the flush toilet of the present embodiment, the second rimspout port 24 is disposed on the inside of the region in which the wastereceiving surface 16 concave portion 40 is formed, therefore themajority of flush water discharged from the second rim spout port 24 canbe dropped into the concave portion 40, and flush water which has falleninto the concave portion 40 can be made to flow into the well portion 20by the stepped portion 40 b. A large volume of flush water can thus bemade to flow into the well portion 20 at once, so that a strong verticalcirculating flow is induced in the well portion 20, and waste floatingin the accumulated water can be efficiently sunk and discharged.

In addition, using the flush toilet of the present embodiment the firstrim spout port 22, which forms a horizontal circulating flow on thewaste receiving surface 16 with discharged flush water, is providedseparately from the second rim spout port 24, therefore waste adheringto the waste receiving surface 16 can be effectively washed off, and theentire bowl portion 8 can be effectively flushed.

We have explained above a preferred embodiment of the invention above,but several variations can be added to the above-described embodiment.In particular, in the above-described embodiment the invention wasapplied to a wash-down type of flush toilet, but it may also be appliedto siphon toilets, or to siphon jet flush toilets with a jet port.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1: flush toilet-   2: toilet main body-   3: skirt portion-   8: bowl portion-   10: shared water passageway-   12: discharge trap pipe-   16: waste receiving surface-   18: rim portion-   18 a: inside circumferential surface-   20: well portion-   20 a, 20 b: side portion ridge lines-   20 c: rear portion ridge line-   22: first rim spout port (rim spout portion)-   24: second rim spout port (liquid membrane spout portion)-   26: first water passageway-   28: second water passageway-   30: water conduit-   32: introducing pipe-   32 a: inlet-   34 a: ascending pipe path-   34 b: descending pipe path-   36: bottom surface-   38: side wall surface-   40: concave portion-   40 a: stepped portion-   40 b: stepped portion (flush water guide portion)-   40 c: bottom surface-   42: downward sloped surface

1. A flush toilet flushed by flush water and discharging waste,comprising: a bowl portion including a bowl-shaped waste receivingsurface, a rim portion formed on an upper portion of the waste receivingsurface, and a well portion formed below the waste receiving surface forstoring an accumulated water; a discharge trap pipe connected so as tocommunicate with a bottom portion of the well portion, therebydischarging the flush water and the waste; a flush water guide portionformed on the waste receiving surface at a rear of the well portion sothat the flush water supplied to the bowl portion is guided toward aside wall surface on an inside of the well portion; and a liquidmembrane spouting portion formed on the rim portion; wherein the liquidmembrane spouting portion discharges the flush water in a liquidmembrane form so that the discharged flush water collides with the flushwater guide portion to induce a vertical circulating flow in theaccumulated water of the well portion, by dropping the flush water alongthe side wall surface of the well portion.
 2. The flush toilet of claim1, wherein the flush water guide portion is a stepped portion formed onthe waste receiving surface so as to be smoothly continuous with a ridgeline of the well portion.
 3. The flush toilet of claim 2, wherein theflush water guide portion is configured such that a slope of the steppedportion in a circumferential direction of the waste receiving surface ismost gradual in an outermost circumference of the waste receivingsurface, and becomes steep as it approaches the well portion.
 4. Theflush toilet of claim 2, wherein the flush water guide portion isconfigured such that a step difference of the stepped portion issmallest at the outermost circumference of the waste receiving surface,and is largest approaching the well portion.
 5. The flush toilet ofclaim 1, wherein the waste receiving surface has a concave portion whichis formed in a rear portion of the waste receiving surface and isconnected to the well portion, and one of end portions of the concaveportion functions as the flush water guide portion on which the flushwater collides.
 6. The flush toilet of claim 5, wherein the concaveportion formed in the waste receiving surface lies from the well portionof the bowl portion to a rear end of the bowl portion.
 7. The flushtoilet of claim 5, wherein the concave portion formed in the wastereceiving surface has approximately a fan shape, broadening toward therear of the bowl portion.
 8. The flush toilet of claim 1, wherein theliquid membrane spouting portion forms the flush water into the liquidmembrane form by discharging the supplied flush water to follow adownward sloped surface descending downward in the direction of theflush water discharged from the liquid membrane spouting portion.
 9. Theflush toilet of claim 1, wherein the liquid membrane spouting portion isdisposed at the rear of the bowl portion so as to oppose the flush waterguide portion.
 10. The flush toilet of claim 5, wherein the liquidmembrane spouting portion is disposed on the inside of a region in whichthe concave portion of the waste receiving surface is formed.
 11. Theflush toilet of claim 1 further comprising a rim spout portion disposedon the rim portion, wherein the rim spout portion discharges the flushwater to form a horizontal circulating flow on the waste receivingsurface.